SENATE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES MEASURE TO ADDRESS RISING COST OF COLLEGE

Bill creates commission to address college affordability and degree completion

AUGUSTA—This morning the Senate unanimously gave initial approval to a measure to address degree completion and the increasing costs of higher education in Maine.

“While higher education may not be for everyone, no one should be denied the opportunity because of cost or uncertainty,” said Senator Rebecca Millett of Cape Elizabeth, the Senate Chair of the committee. “I look forward to implementing strategic initiatives so that we will ensure Maine students have the education they need to compete for the jobs of the future, and at a price they can afford.”

The measure is the result of Senate President Alfond’s bill asking the Education Committee to develop a bill to address college affordability. The resulting measure creates a commission to study student college affordability and college completion and report recommendations to the Education Committee by December 3, 2014. The commission will develop a strategic plan that may include tuition guarantees, increased funding for the State of Maine Grant Program, or a pilot project based on Oregon’s “Pay It Forward” model, which allows students to attend college tuition-free and pay back a portion of their income to the state after they graduate.

“Whether the issue is income inequality, job creation, strengthening the economy, or workforce development, the nexus for each of these is degree affordability and attainment,” said Senate President Justin Alfond. “While it may be a heavy lift, I’m confident that we have the will and determination, and the tools and guidance, to solve this issue together–so that we can help the thousands of Mainers facing barriers to degree completion and degree affordability. The time to act is now.”

In Maine, 78 percent of college graduates from public four year colleges have higher education debt and the average debt is nearly $27,000, according to the Institute for College Access and Success.

The measure, LD 1849, “Resolve, To Establish the Commission To Study College Affordability and College Completion,” faces further votes in the House and the Senate.